Monday, August 3, 2009
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
In search of a starter: Quarterback preview 2009

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ier most likely to fans remember the trials and trib-
ulations of Navarre's freshman
the reigns of the effort - he limped to a 51-percent
completion percentage and strug-
lverine offense gled through a UCLA game that
the Wolverines ended up losing.
By ANDY REID Forcier is obviously the front-
Daily SportsEditor runner for the job and he'll have
his hands full. He will struggle at
e's one thing I know for times to understand the system
Greg Paulus is NOT going and adapt to the speed of college
ichigan's quarterback next football. But he's got a few skills
that will help him shed some of
lmost a certainty - unless the things that usually hurt young
junior Nick Sheridan has quarterbacks.
lous turnaround in August One: He's confident. Forcier has
s - that a freshman is no reservations about the fact that
take the first snap of the he's a good quarterback capable of
ason. And Michigan fans getting the job done. If that con-
take a deep breath, forget fidence doesn't waiver after a few
1 the hype newcomer Tate bad throws, he'll be able to bounce
stirred up after a surpris- back from the inevitable mistakes
ature-looking performance he will make.
Spring Game and realize Two: He can run. When Pat
hmenquarterbacks almost White was running Rodriguez's
have huge learning curves. offense at West Virginia, he used
don't have to look further his legs to take some of the pres-
chigan'sownpasttorealize sure off his arm. If Forcier can
th John Navarre and Chad establish himself as a legitimate
started impressive careers spread-option threat, that will only
ggling through freshmen mean good things for the Wolver-
gns. Henne posted impres- ines. If you saw the Spring Game,
nbers - 2,743 yards and 25 you know that Forcier's speed and
wns - but there's no ques- athleticism were showcased -
t those numbers had a lot that's definitely a good sign for the
do with his receivers. future.
on Edwards, Jason Avant Three: He's comfortable in the
ve Breaston - all three of spread. Forcier has been running
re in the NFL - aren't bad a spread offense for a long time,
and even though Michigan and although Michigan's system
a pretty talented receiv- is more complex than what he ran
ps this season, Forcier or in high school, at least he has some
ig freshman Denard Rob- familiarity with it.
on't have the same lux- As long as he doesn't let the
cause the receivers were expectations get to his head,
1, former Michigan coach Forcier should be a good fit in the
arr could run a simpler offense. Just don't expect him to
for Henne during his win the Heisman Trophy or any-
sn season. thing like that this year - he'll
I'm sure many Michigan need some time to get acquainted

with everything.
Then there's Denard Robinson,
who didn't have the pleasure of
spending the winter semester in
Ann Arbor, like Forcier. But he's
got a pretty strong arm and can
flat-out run.
Ideally, I would like to see Robin-
son become a sort of change-of-pace
guy who comes in for 10 to 15 plays
a game, because I don't think he's
going to be too ready this season.
"I haven't seen Denard yet,"
Rodriguez said at Big Ten Media
Day. "It's going to be fun to watch
(him and Forcier)."
Robinson just hasn't had the
same time to become as familiar-
ized with the playbook as Forcier.
Rodriguez hasn't even been able
to assess him and still won't until
well into August. But he can defi-
nitely make a contribution to the
team.
It's going to be very frustrating
for a team to have to prepare for
both Forcier and Robinson - even
if Robinson is only playing a few
snaps a game.
And as much as I think Sheri-
dan is a good guy and Michigan
fans should be thankful that he
stepped up last year - even though
he had his troubles - the best role
he could have in 2009 is as an
impromptu quarterbacks coach.
Key Losses - Steven Threet,
transfer to Arizona State
Projected starter - Tate Forcier
Newcomer(s) to watch - Forcier
and Denard Robinson
Overall impressions It'll be an
interesting season for the quarter-
backs, to be sure. There will be ups
and there will most certainly be
downs, but it will be fun. Michigan
fans should take pleasure in seeing
Forcier develop in front of their
eyes - because by his senior cam-
paign, he'll definitely be a star.

This week on
MichiganDaily.com
Every day this week, Daily Sports Editor Andy Reid will
analyze the potential starters of each position for the
2009 football team.
Tuesday: Running Backs
Wednesday: Receivers
Thursday: Offensive Line
Friday: Special Teams
Saturday: Linebackers
Sunday: Defensive Line
Monday: Defensive Backs

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